Prisoner Letters to Fcc Re Prison Phone Rates 7-2012j
Download original document:
Document text
Document text
This text is machine-read, and may contain errors. Check the original document to verify accuracy.
7/24/2012 Rece\ved &\nsfleeted AUG -1 2012 FCC MaH Room Gary D. Wolfe #153095 Thumb Correctional Facility 3225 John Conley Dr. Lapeer, MI 48446 Chairman Julius Genachowski Federal Communications Commisssion 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Genachowski: I'm writing to request a hard copy of the WRIGHT PETITION (CC Docket #96-128). Please let me know of any cost associated with this request and I will remit the same. Thank you. ~.. This is a public comment for the WRIGHT PETITION (CC Docket #96-128) Gary D. Wolfe #153095 Thumb Correctional Facility 3225 John Conley Dr. Lapeer, Mi 48446 Received & Inspected AUG -1 2012 FCC Mail Room Chairman Julius Genachowski Federal Communications Commission Public Comments 445 12th Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Genachowski: I'm writing to ask that you act on the Wright Petition to cap inmate telephone rates and thereby stopping the exploitation of prisoners and their loved ones. I have been incarcerated for over 35 years and for the last 20 years or so my family and I have been forced to pay exorbitant telephone rates. There was a time when rates were reasonable and I could call home without it being a financial burden on myself or those I called. In the late 80's the Michigan Department of Corrections figured out that this vital service could be exploited to reap huge financial profits for their budget. Over the years I have lost contact with many distant relatives, friends and loved ones due the high cost of our telephone calls. Considering that the actual cost of a fifteen minute call, according to Michigan's latest inmate telephone contract, is only about $0.75, it's outrageous that an additional charge of $2.50 is added to the price of each call for the MDOC and telephone provider to pocket as pure profit. We are even required to pay a 6% "telephone" tax on this portion of the charge despite this charge having nothing whatsoever to do with the cost of providing the telephone service. The telephone company, in this case, Public Communication Services (PCS), generates more profits from their cut of this added charge than they do from providing the actual telephone service. Budgets for prison operation are supposed to come through general appropriation. The cost of running our prisons should be borne through taxes imposed equally on all the residents in the state. To target a particular class of people, especially those who are struggling and can least afford it, is outrageous and should be stopped. It's the right and fair thing to do. Legislatures and local governments will not stop this because the financial incentive is far to great, and it also makes them look tough prisoners. But it is our families who pay 90% of these charges, and they haven't done a thing to deserve this treatment. They deserve better, and you have the authority to make it right. Sincerely July 26,2012 This is a public comment for the Wright petition(CC Docket no.96-128). Bobby S.Janoe J25333 Calipatria State Prison P.O.Box 5005 Calipatria CA 92233 . d Iii. \t:lSHeeted Reeewe ~ to' \I ~UG - ~ Z012 fCC MaU Room Chairman Julius Genachowski Federal Communications Commission Public Comments 445 12th Street,SW Washibgton D.C. 20554 Dear Chairman Genachowski, I am writing to your office to explain the impact of high costs for telephone calls on me and my family. In the California Dept. of Corrections,the cost of a telephone call to one of my family members is very high. Consequently,I am not able to call family members as much as I would like,because they cannot afford to pay for the collect calls. Due directly to the lack of telephone calls to my family,my relationships with my family members has deteriorated,over the last several years. My family members cannot afford to pay the high collect costs associated with the California Dept.of Corrections, at the holidays,i.e,birthdays,anniversaries,etc. My mother is in her 70's,consequently,she lives on a fixed limited income. Most of her income is tommitted for her primary needs,i.e, housing and food. There is no funds left to help fund secondary needs,such as collect telephone calls from me. I have lost complete contact with my daughter,Misty,due directly to the high costs of collect calls,that she cannot afford to pay. My daughter lives out of the state of California;consequently,the wages she is able to earn are not very much. Moreover,the financial hardships America is experiencing in the present time make it even harder to keep in contact with family by collect telephone calls. I have lost complete contact with my niece,Amanda,due directly to the high costs of collect calls,that she cannot afford to pay. My niece lives outside of California. I would request your office carefully consider the Wright petition. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, VERIFICATION (C.c.P. § 446 & 2015.5: 28 U.S.C. § 1746) STATE OF CALIFORNIA COUNTY OF IMPERIAL I, Bob b y S. Jan 0 e DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY mAT: I AM THE Dec 1 a ran t IN THE ABOVE ENTITLED ACTION. I HAVE READ THE FOREGOING DOCUMENTS AND KNOW THE CONTENTS THEREOF AND THE SAME IS TRUE OF MY OWN KNOWLEDGE EXCEPT AS TO MATTERS STATED THEREIN UPON INFORMATION AND BELIEF AND AS TO THOSE MATTERS, I BELIEVE THEM TO BE TRUE. EXECUTED THIS 26 t h DAY OF _.><.J.... u.....l-,J.y_ _ _ 20 12 AT CALIPATRIA STATE PRISON CALIP ATRIA, CALIFORNIA 92233-5002. =-: : :-:-,:-~=th-cH: :-_!_.~/r ld=-'vvt.J£-'-_ _ _ _ (DECLARANTIPRISONER) SIGNATlnit // PROOF OF SERVICE BY MAIL (C.C.P. §IOI3(a) & 2015.5: U.S.C. § 1746) I, Bob b y S. Jan 0 e AM A RESIDENT OF CALIPATRIA STATE PRISON, IN mE COUNTY OF IMPERIAL, STATE OF CALIFORNIA. I AM OVER EIGHTEEN (18) YEARS OF AGE AND AM I AtI~I~A PARTY OF THE ABOVE ENTITLED ACTION. MY STATE PRISON ADDRESS IS P.O. BOX 5002, CALIPATRIA STATE PRISON, CALIPATRIA, CALIFORNIA 92233-5002. ON _ _ _ _ _ J_u_l~y_2_6:.....z....,_2012 IS SERVED THE FOREGOING: Letter to Chairman Julius Genachowski,Federal Communications Co mm iss ion, Wrig h t pet i t ion (SET FORTH EXACT TITLE OF DOCUMENTS SERVED) co~~fuR!&'b~,E};~ce8~%~ 1~GAiE:D ON mE PARTY(S) HEREIN BY PLACING A TRUE ENVELOPE(S) WITH POSTAGE THEREON FULLY PAID, IN ATHE UNITED STATES MAIL, IN A DEPOSIT BOX SO PROVIDED AT CALIPATRIA STATE PRISON, CALIPATRIA, CALIFORNIA 92233-5002. Chairman Julius Genachowski Federal Communications Commission Public Comments 445 12th Street,SW Washibgton D.C. 20554 THERE IS DELIVERY SERVICE BY UNITED STATE MAIL AT THE PLACE SO ADDRESSED, AND THERE IS REGULAR COMMUNICATION BY MAIL BETWEEN THE PLACE OF MAILING AND THE SO ADDRESSED. I DECLARE UNDER PENALTY OF PERJURY THE FORGOING IS TRUE AND CORRECT. DATE _ _ _ _ _ _. . .:J::..,:u:::..;1:::.. Y.I. . -""'2"""6-L._ _ 2012 ~;~ ,